Fisheries Technician 1- American River Rotary Screw Traps

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting candidates to fill (3) Fisheries Technician 1 positions to work on the Lower American River and Sacramento River Rotary Screw Trap Projects based out of Sacramento, CA. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible, seasonal position with a projected start date of October 19, 2026 through June 2027.

Fisheries Technicians will assist with daily field activities and data collection using rotary screw traps to monitor the emigration of juvenile Chinook Salmon and steelhead. A successful candidate will participate in a cohesive crew and will identify various species of fish, assess life stage and run and collect environmental data. The candidate will demonstrate safety consciousness and adhere to all safety and data collection protocols. The candidate must be willing to work in inclement weather as well as be willing to work weekends and overtime.

Duties and responsibilities include:

• Operate and maintain 16 foot motorized water craft and 4WD trucks
• Operate and maintain tandem 8 foot rotary screw traps
• Identify, handle, anesthetize, and collect biological data from juvenile fish
• Handle endangered or threatened species according to permits and protocols
• Assist with daily QA/QC of collected data
• Assist with other project tasks as assigned

Mandatory Qualifications:

• Must be able to lift 50 lbs.
• Ability to swim 50 yards and tread water for 10 minutes
• Ability to follow oral and written directions
• Knowledge of computer applications and software (Access, Excel, Word, Outlook)
• Must be able to read, write and speak English
• Ability to identify juvenile Chinook Salmon and steelhead
• Must be comfortable working from, operating, and trailering motorized watercraft
• Must have a valid driver's license with a clean driving record
• Must work a flexible schedule, including the ability to work weekends, nights, and overtime.

Desirable Qualification:

• Knowledge of salmonid biology and life history
• Juvenile fish trapping and handling experience
• Knowledge of mark-recapture methods and theory
• Ability to operate and trailer a motorized watercraft
• Current CPR/First aid certification

Essential Functions:

• Participate in survey crews that conduct regional fishery presence/absence research, recreational/commercial fishing surveys, anadromous fish escapement surveys, or tag detection and mark recovery surveys. Make standardized observations such as species identification, length, weight, behavior, growth, survival, reproductive condition, and/or signs of parasites, diseases or pathogens, fin clips or tags.
• Collect and organize biological and habitat samples and collections (such as fin clips, scales, water quality, etc.).
• Summarize and input biological or habitat data on field forms, electronic data loggers, and/or desktop computers. May assist with preliminary data summaries and analyses or database management.

Knowledge Required by the Position:

At the lower end of the range, employees use knowledge of basic statistics, reading, writing, and data collection to perform routine or repetitive tasks.

At the upper end of the position range, employees use knowledge of the basic principles and protocols of fish biology to make readings, measurements, and observations; execute tests; collect samples, etc. If complex equipment systems are operated, the employee has the knowledge to perform calibrations or adjustments to achieve desired results.

Physical Demands:

Demands can range from moderate --where there is walking, climbing stairs and ladders, reaching, lifting, bending, and strenuous sweeping-- to rigorous. In the latter case, the incumbent must be able to handle buckets of water or gear weighing up to 50 pounds. Long daily periods of hiking, carrying equipment, swimming, and/or standing may be required. Some work requires the ability to maintain footing in fast-moving water.

Work Environment:

A portion of the work is performed in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating and ventilation. The majority is performed in the field either onboard the rotary screw traps and/or in fish holding and processing areas. Incumbents may work on narrow, elevated walkways and platforms that are over or adjacent to water. Field work involves exposure to all types of weather, slippery rocks, trails, irregular terrain, insects, poison oak, rough or fast-moving water, or cold water temperatures. Work at high elevations or aboard boats may be required.